CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff to honor the life and heroic actions of Steve Lipscomb, the miner who died following last week’s flooding at the Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County.
“All of West Virginia mourns the loss of this courageous man,” said Governor Morrisey. “Steve was a veteran of the Marine Corps, a Purple Heart recipient, a husband, and a father of two. He spent his final moments ensuring his men could escape to safety.”
The mine incident occurred on November 8, 2025, when a section of the Rolling Thunder Mine flooded after an old mine wall was compromised.
Lipscomb, the foreman, helped evacuate every member of his crew before water filled the shaft, trapping him inside. Rescue crews worked around the clock for five days but were unable to save him.
“Denise and I are praying for Steve’s family, friends, colleagues, and the entire coal mining community in West Virginia,” Morrisey said. “Our coal miners represent some of the most courageous among us, and Steve was a testament to that.”
The governor’s order also recognizes all West Virginia coal miners who have died on the job in 2025: Mark Hatfield, Billy Stalker, Eric Batram, Joey Mitchell, and Lipscomb.
Flags are to be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from noon on November 14, 2025, until sunset on the day of Lipscomb’s interment.
